View source for Aponogeton fenestralis

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|genus=Aponogeton 
|species=fenestralis
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Aponogeton fenestralis, Hook. f. (Ouvirandra fenestralis, Poir.). Lace-leaf. Lattice-leaf. Fig. 236. Lvs. oblong, 6-18 in. long and 2-4 in. broad, reduced to skeletons, floating just under the surface of the water: fls. small, consisting of 6 stamens, 3 pistils and 2 white petal-like bodies, numerous, in 2 spikes each about 2 in. long, which are united at the base, and borne on the top of a scape a foot or so long. Madagascar. A.F. 7:67. A.G. 15:169. B.M. 4894. Gt. 1863:387. G.M. 38:830. Gn. 30, pp. 344, 345. Mn. 6, p. 231. F.S. 11:1107. I.H. 8:300. G.W. 10:595 (var. major).—The Lvs. are merely a tracery of nerves and cross-veins, but despite their lace-like delicacy they can be handled with considerable roughness. The venation of the lace-leaf plant is like that of the common aponogeton, and now and then a lf. occurs in which the spaces between the veins are partly or wholly filled with green matter. There is another species with skeletonized Lvs. (A. Bernierianus), but the open spaces are smaller and the plant is less desirable for cult.

The lace-leaf plant can be grown in a tub in a warm greenhouse. For some unknown reason the plant seems rarely to succeed in a jar or glass aquarium. Some cultivators think that the water must be changed every day, but this is not necessary. If confervae; appear, introduce a few tadpoles and snails; these will devour the green scum, and help to keep the plant in good health by furnishing oxygen. See Aquarium. The plant should be potted, and plunged not more than 18 in. below the surface of the water. For potting soil use a rich compost, such as is recommended for water-lilies. The water should be kept clean and sweet, and a temperature of 65-70° provided. Avoid direct sunlight. In Madagascar the streams often dry up, and the tubers carry the plant over the dry season. In imitation of nature some cultivators take the tubers out of the soil, and leave them on a shelf in a hot-house during the month of Feb. It is doubtful whether this is necessary. Potting should be done while the plant is in active growth, not dormant. Prop, by division. The lace-leaf is cult. in all the finest collections of aquatics, and is prized as a curiosity.
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